Do you enjoy shopping...in shops?

I was listening to somebody the other day complaining about how crowded and chaotic one of the Westfield's in London is as we head into Black Friday and Christmas, and I was just wondering does anyone here actually enjoy shopping? Do you get a thrill from walking around the likes of Lakeside and Oxford Street, do you make a big day of it and incorporate a restaurant, cinema, bowling etc into it as well? Or do you simply detest the whole 'shopping experience' and do your utmost to avoid it entirely?

On one hand there are certain things I like about it, particularly at Christmas with the lights and the elaborate fancy displays, but on the other hand I hate the crowds where you can barely move and feel like a tinned sardine, the prices being more expensive than online, the bitterly cold weather if you're outdoors, the hassle of getting to and from a location, the need to carry everything back home, and staff that will not under any circumstances leave me alone. There comes a point after a couple of hours where I always have enough and end up thinking to myself 'I could have done this online, been left to my own devices in Sainsbury's, and used click and collect at Argos'. I suppose there's this kind of comflicted feeling between wanting to experience the showmanship of seeing a Nespresso machine lit up in front of a fancy screen and just clicking Add to Basket on Amazon...

It's not for me. Not any more. I have been in relationships where the city centre felt like a bit of a destination, but I think that says more about the relationships than anything else. It's about tolerable if two thirds of the time spent shopping is spent in a bar or restaurant.

That said, I do like buying stuff, but the internet fulfills that function so much better than most shops, AFAIK.

I don't like the crowds, but I definitely enjoy browsing through games and books. Book shops especially are normally wonderful places. I find buying something in person way more rewarding than ordering it online too. The immediate reward of receiving a new game as soon as you pay for it coupled with the excitement of the journey home can't be replicated. Then there is the thrill of browsing through second hand stores, where you never know what you're going to find. I'd much rather spend months hunting for a game through various preowned sections than just buy it on ebay.

I always go to the Trafford Centre on the run up to Christmas with my sister. We aim to go on a weekday near the beginning of December so it's not utterly rammed and awful, so I usually don't mind. I do enjoy having a browse around, especially when I can't think of gifts and then spot something really suitable for someone.

Most other times I can't be bothered with the hassle. I usually only go into town if I really need to get something quickly, otherwise I'd rather buy online.

It depends. I collect those Mattel WWE Retro figures and while I know I could just buy them online I love discovering one I haven’t got in a brick and mortar shop. I recently snagged the Kane figure which can go for £30+ online for only £4 in The Entertainer

I tend to do my grocery shopping online simply for the convenience of having it delivered rather than having to carry a load of bags home.

I love food shopping in the evening when there's No one hogging the isles.

Absolutely hate shopping in shopping malls for anything when they're packed, the shuffling about, the loud talking of it all and all the stuffiness makes me feel ill. I prefer going in the morning around 10am when the shops are first opening so I avoid the crowds.

If I know what I'm going for (whether it be general food shopping or a gift) then it's generally ok, this way I can be in and out as quick as possible, however the odd time I do quite like browsing shops when it's quiet.

However I'm woefully bad at actually thinking of what to buy people for their birthday, Christmas etc so obviously I'm always asking them for ideas (quite often they just say "oh surprise me" much to my dismay), I would venture into town to try and get some inspiration but more often than not that just ends with me heading home bored after a couple of hours while I could do the same online at home. Plus my local town isn't the greatest place to go

Oblomov Boblomov wrote:I tend to last about 20 minutes before spotting a nice pub and spending the rest of the day getting drunk. So yes, I do enjoy it.

I don’t think that’s shopping mate.

My habits have completely changed from my teenage years. We would spend so many Saturdays in town but now I try to avoid the big shopping centres. Big reason nowadays is my buying habits, I would go in for for dvds, music and games, now? Don’t buy films, don’t buy music (except the odd vinyl) and games are far cheaper online. Shopping just isn’t aimed at me anymore.

I still enjoy venturing around independents though, especially for art, prints and odd bit of eccentric tat.

I quite enjoy shopping. I tend to go to a farmers market with my girlfriend it nice to chat to the stall owners. Also clothes shopping.

I went to Bluewater last Christmas and that was a nightmare though and don't like browsing music or games stuff anymore as it doesn't have the same excitement, knowing that I can get it all online for cheaper.